As the A-side, Chocolate takes a bit of a cuter, yet lighter route. Though I can say that I can remember this one compared to “Message” at least and Leo’s voice sounds so pleasant and fitting for such a lighthearted song. It might not stick on first listen, but its got a lot of charm to it and I found it to be the best A-side for the era.

Simply because Leo can’t get away from it, the rest of the single are performances of songs she did at DiverCity. It seems like they’re full performances as well and since there’s 3 parts separated through the editions of the single, you’ll be pretty busy listening to all of this. Part 1 is almost 24 minutes long. Through all the songs, Leo sounds just so good and while most of the songs here are tunes I’ve totally forgotten about (except “Shine”), this shows off her skills and she sounds great through each performance.

*Won’t review the other two live tracks as I would probably not have much new to say* Leo closes her sophomore era with Chocolate and there’s just something so cute and charming about the tune that I couldn’t help but love it! Though the single kind of just falls with the 3 edition exclusive songs. If you were to get them altogether, you basically have a live album right there and just kind of shadows Chocolate as a release. Plus, some of those songs we’ve heard live already so it’s kind of redundant to hear. Though I wonder what she’ll bring for “a boy”.

I love the piano intro for Taiyou no Megami for sure and was hoping it would’ve been the primary melody, but it becomes a mid-tempo song. I do love how it opens up in the chorus into this dramatic song and honestly, that’s really all I can remember is that chorus because I don’t find the verses very memorable in the least. Overall, it’s a better song than “Message” was, but still not at the levels of the “LEO” singles.

2. Kimi ni Todoke

The first B-side was actually released back in July. So it does come off the backs of “LEO” so it does have that sound to it which caught my interest a lot faster than “Taiyou no Megami”. I do like the chanting vibes out the after-chorus and Leo sounds really sweet and powerful which always is a good thing. I actually am happy with this track and would’ve preferred it as an A-side.

3. Who’s That

Sweet, we finally a pretty edgy song from Leo (well in comparison to the other two tracks). I really like the flow of the song and really liking the guitar licks in the tune. It sounds like a tune that would go over pretty well performed live.

As the second single of the era, Taiyou no Megami is definitely a step-up after “Message” even though the A-side isn’t too well received by me when compared to Kimi ni Todoke and Who’s That in which both songs were left a great mark on me. Can’t wait to see what’s next in store from her.

It’s been a while since I reviewed Ms. Ieiri, but it feels like a good time to rejoin the fandom and Message is actually not bad for a single that I missed reviewing. After her her first three singles, I was quite curious to what Leo would release and while this song is the weakest of her A-sides so far, Message isn’t totally bad for a mid-tempo song but there’s something a bit forgetful about it.

2. Wake you up

The lone B-side, Wake you up is a lot of what I didn’t like about “LEO” because it has such a strong Country Western sound mixed in with her pop sound as well. That being said, despite my initial negative reaction, it’s pretty nice, but once again like “Message”, nothing to really write home about. Later on, it does get bouncy and it sounds more interesting than the earlier half. Still…hmmm

3. Sabrina (Live at AKASAKA BLITZ 2013.3.27)

So there are 3 editions of this single released and each of the have a different live versions of songs, though the Regular edition came with two (though I didn’t get the 2nd one >.>). The one I got included a live version of her debut song, Sabrina! I haven’t heard Leo live, but damn she performs quite strongly in a live setting, the energy is vibrant and Leo sounds great overall…Pretty awesome live!

As the first single after her debut album, “LEO”, Message started the era off in a rather mundane and kind of mediocre way. Neither the A-side or Wake you up really stood out in anyway, shape, or form. At least the live version of Sabrina was pretty powerful (and I assume the other 3 are more of the same!). I just hope she picks up on the next single (that just came out recently XD).

It’s pretty awesome to see Leo begin her album with her debut, Sabrina which is still ridiculously catchy and fun to listen to. I really came to love this song after I reviewed the single since it’s charming and hearing Leo sing the chorus with that hook of ~saburina ba ba ba la, saburina~, it’s just a very lighthearted yet fun song to listen to and is a great way to begin the album as well!

2. Last Stage

I kind of got Country vibes getting into our first new song on the album. I guess it was from the overall feel of the song plus the strings that are in it. I kind of enjoyed this rather sullen atmosphere since Leo expresses herself quite nicely. The song oterwise doesn’t seem to have much of a hook like the previous songs I’ve listened to from her.

3. Say Goodbye

More Western twang on this album? It’s that slide guitar that really throws me off at first. As Say Goodbye was released as a digital single and was the promo song, it was a solid choice for them for sure. Leo’s vocals once again comes in really powers the song nicely. Overall it’s a nice mid-tempo track, but like with “Last Stage”, nothing to really grasp on for me.

4. Shine

We move into Leo’s second A-side and it’s grown on me to become one of the best tracks she’s done! I just like the whole nostalgic trip this song gives me and it really worked for Leo since this song is just amazing from beginning to end. Plus, Leo’s vocals are just perfect as well, sharing a lot of power and emotion. Though I still question the ending being so sudden and ending with a camera clicking. Beyond that, it’s such an awesome song.

5. Ashita Mata Haremasu You ni

Back to some new tracks, Ashita Mata Haremasu You ni kind of runs back into the whole country vibe which I guess is starting to slightly bother me, but whatever it is…at least the song kind of slightly grows away from it after a while. It’s still a song with a whole lot of acoustic guitar and strings but a little more upbeat. Not bad, but ehhh…

6. Second Dream

Oh, I really like the sinister vibes of Second Dream…it gives it an almost gothic feel to it which I very much am pleased with. The verses really stuck out to me and then the soaring chorus as well. It just seemed to really work here and it the first of the new tracks to really impress me here.

7. Kimi Dake

It feels like Kimi Dake acts as teh first ballad of the album since it begins so quietly with Leo and piano (with some underlying strings). For a song that doesn’t have as much instrumentation like all the other tracks on the album, it really stands out. It does at times feel like it’s a bit monotone and drags as well, but I kind of found its simplicity to be a breath of fresh air.

8. Bless You

Bless You comes next (her 3rd A-side) and while it’s my least favorite of the A-sides, it’s still pretty damn good otherwise. I also noticed with this song, how powerful and awesome her vocals are because she sounds extraordinary here. Another really good and memorable track off the album.

9. Fake Love

I think of the new songs from the album, Fake Love impressed me the most because it’s funky and not a slower track either which is a giant step up. It just feels like it has a certain single quality that makes it stand out amongst the new tracks.

10. Hello

Interesting that she chose one B-side for the album, but I actually enjoyed her choice of one of the better ones. As the B-side from “Shine”, Hello is a relaxing mid-tempo from her and while I wasn’t impressed by the new ones for the album, Hello sounds nice and just has the right amount of things going on. Not bad of a choice (though I think “Colorful” or “ripe” would’ve fared better).

11. Mister

Actually if you wanted something like “Colorful”, Mister might be your next best choice since it’s just as upbeat and cute like the former song. It’s got such a catchy beat and Leo sounds alive in the track. I still prefer the older track more than this, but Mister isn’t totally forgetful either.

12. Lady Mary

I really was surprised coming into Lady Mary because I really though the ideas from Leo ran dry. Luckily, it came back at full rush with Lady Mary which sounds so amazing and full for her. There’s just something about this mid-tempo track that really struck…maybe it’s from its sullen mood or it could be from the longing way Leo sings….it surprised me a lot!

13. Linda

Closing the album, Linda goes back to the country vibes from the earlier new tracks but kind of more hokey and a little more upbeat (not like “Mister” upbeat but it that general direction. I did like Leo’s singing though since it was bouncy and fits the tone of the track…not a bad closing to the album.

Tracks Recommended

Shine

Sabrina

Lady Mary

Second Dream

Fake Love

Song of Avoidance

Ashita Mata Haremasu You ni

I came into Leo’s debut album with high hopes after the AMAZING singles she’s released for it. What I got with LEO was that it’s for the most part good, but it wasn’t where my expectations were. I think Leo should stay away from the whole pseudo Taylor Swift-brand of pop/rock/country fusion because those were honestly the worst tracks of the album. The rest of the album though was pretty damn good though. Her experiements have done her good, now I want her to build upon that for an epic sophomore album…just no more country-like songs!!!

Wow, the song just starts immediately with Leo singing the chorus quite loudly o.0. This song kind of follows after “Shine” by being a rock track but has that positive drive. I just love how powerful her voice can get since she wows me with this performance. Though I still prefer “Sabrina” and “Shine” more, this song is definitely strong in its own right and stands out from the singles as well.

2. Ijiwaru na Kamisama

I didn’t expect the first B-side to have been used for Pocky CMs..but here we are XD. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that it does have a cuter side to it amongst her other songs. To me, the song isn’t really amongst the best and I kind of forget about it since “Bless You” came beforehand…It’s just there.

3. Kokoro no Ka・ta・chi

The second B-side once again fits in the veins of “Shine” and “Bless You” with the rock background but that positivity about it makes it kind of pop out. The only thing is that unlike those two tracks, this song doesn’t have a very loud and powerful chorus. It just stays at the same pace most of the time. SOOOO it kind of tries to be good, but misses it.

As the 3rd and final single before Leo’s debut album, “LEO”, Bless You kind of came up short this time around. The leading track is pretty strong and ranks up their with her previous A-sides but both of the B-sides lacked that same energy. Ijiwaru no Kamisama is quite forgettable in the long run and Kokoro no Ka・ta・chi tried to be like the A-sides but had a disappointing chorus. I’m still excited for the album though ^_^!

There’s just something about Shine that really sticks out to me for some reason and I’m finding myself really enjoying the song for some reason but it sounds like it would’ve been better released back in the past because it has that early 2000’s feel to it. Leo’s vocals are quite strong and the song is quite catchy as well. She reminds me of someone but I can’t figure who it is at the moment…maybe a mix of ayaka or someone better. Though I can’t understand why the song ends with a camera shutter closing…random placement for me…but still the song is quite strong and just as impressive as “Sabrina”!

2. Hello

The first B-side tones things down a bit which is nice and kind of funny because I feel it’s the opposite to “ripe” because it had a goodbye feeling while this one had a much more brighter approach and appearance. It’s homely and I do feel here that it’s a mix of ayaka and YUI’s sound which is a great mixture of styles…plus I loved that little area where her vocals are slightly warped around…good B-side!

3. Colorful

Oh god, her voice is so cute in the beginning counting in. Now, this song seems to be the goofy and cute song but still somehow retain her catchy style! It’s a strange song but somehow shows quite a bit of her attitude and she’s having fun with this song for sure…it’s not as orgasmic like the other two songs, but it’s got character and I liked that about this tune.

Jeeze, if Leo continues on like this, she’s going to have an amazing debut album on her way. Shine is quite good and even though I remember “Sabrina” a lot better, it’s a great follow-up from her debut single. Hello was pretty sweet and had a good message in it while Colorful is….well colorful!!! I can’t wait to hear more from her *RECOMMENDED*

So it seems we have another YUI-like artist in Leo Ieiri and it could’ve been like it was YUI at first because Leo’s vocals sound almost like the proclaimed artist but IMO Leo has better tone quality and control over YUI. It’s kind of scary to say that but seriously it’s like her to a T. Sabrina as a song didn’t help the connection as well because it does remind of a song that YUI would release. Now to the performance, like I said I liked Leo’s vocals and the song is rather catchy and I thought how Leo says ~saburina~ is kind of cute. However, the only drawback I could think of is that…it’s kind of short and depends a lot on the chorus (especially towards the end). Still a solid debut A-side here!

2. ripe

The B-side is actually a bit more filled out and does a good job showing Leo’s vocals a bit better as it’s a ballad. Now here is where I lose the whole YUI-like tone of her voice as she sounds a little more sweet and a bit more controlled. As for the song, it’s actually quite nice and I like the chorale in the background during the chorus…it kind of has this good-bye kind of setting. I liked this!

As Leo’s debut single, I thought she did pretty well setting herself up for a career. I’m hoping she becomes popular because she has great vocals that could channel either YUI or ayaka in some cases! If her company promotes her right, she could perhaps be the next big thing! I’m excited for future releases from her!